Global Patent Index - EP 1091231 A3

EP 1091231 A3 20040526 - Apparatus and method for directing optical signals using a movable optical switching element

Title (en)

Apparatus and method for directing optical signals using a movable optical switching element

Title (de)

Vorrichtung und Verfahren zum ausrichten optischer Signale mit hilfe eines beweglichen optischen Schaltelements

Title (fr)

Dispositif et procédé destine à diriger des signaux optiques à l'aide d'un élément de commutation optique mobile

Publication

EP 1091231 A3 20040526 (EN)

Application

EP 00117160 A 20000810

Priority

US 41531299 A 19991008

Abstract (en)

[origin: EP1091231A2] An improved optical switch (10) includes a movable optical switching element (15) configured to selectively direct optical signals (13) traveling in an optical input path (11) to one of at least two optical output paths (12, 16). The movable optical switching element (15, 35) may include waveguide portions (18) and/or mirrors (58) to direct the optical signals. In an alternative embodiment, the moveable optical switching element (75) may include waveguide grating couplers (128) to allow the selective reflection of a particular wavelength of light from an optical waveguide (121) carrying a number of such of optical wavelengths (123). <IMAGE>

IPC 1-7

G02B 6/35

IPC 8 full level

G02B 26/08 (2006.01); G02B 6/12 (2006.01); G02B 6/34 (2006.01); G02B 6/35 (2006.01)

CPC (source: EP US)

G02B 6/29317 (2013.01 - EP US); G02B 6/3504 (2013.01 - EP US); G02B 6/3506 (2013.01 - EP US); G02B 6/3512 (2013.01 - EP US); G02B 6/3534 (2013.01 - EP US); G02B 6/3546 (2013.01 - EP US); G02B 6/3596 (2013.01 - EP US)

Citation (search report)

  • [X] EP 0367904 A2 19900516 - GTE PROD CORP [US]
  • [X] US 5920667 A 19990706 - TIAO KUO-TUNG [TW], et al
  • [X] GONZALEZ C ET AL: "MICROMACHINED 1 X N FIBER-OPTIC SWITCH", IEEE PHOTONICS TECHNOLOGY LETTERS, IEEE INC. NEW YORK, US, vol. 9, no. 5, 1 May 1997 (1997-05-01), pages 616 - 618, XP000677340, ISSN: 1041-1135

Designated contracting state (EPC)

AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE

DOCDB simple family (publication)

EP 1091231 A2 20010411; EP 1091231 A3 20040526; JP 2001154122 A 20010608; US 2002114559 A1 20020822; US 6404943 B1 20020611; US 6650807 B2 20031118

DOCDB simple family (application)

EP 00117160 A 20000810; JP 2000309729 A 20001010; US 11575202 A 20020402; US 41531299 A 19991008